Target: George Gentry, Executive Officer of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection

Goal: Prevent the planned clearing of 38 million acres of land in California

The California Board of Forestry and Fire has stated its intention to clear 38 million acres of land in order to reduce the possibility of wildfire. If the proposal is approved, it will exempt individual clearance projects from oversight which is currently required of citizen and independent communities.

Research has shown that in order to properly assess wildfire, one must address the entire fire environment. This includes the ignitability of structures, community and regional planning, and science-based vegetation management within and surrounding the community. No research has shown that clearing the natural landscape is necessary or beneficial.

Additionally, the scope of the proposed program will be evaluated by a checklist that has yet to formulated as opposed to the standard process of being evaluated by citizens and independents scientists. Citizens have the right under current standards and law to challenge proposals such as these.

The basis behind the reasoning of clearing the land is built on unfounded research. The assumption is that past fire suppression efforts have created a buildup of vegetation across the landscape that is considered a fire hazard. Although this theory is true in various regions, it does not apply to the region where the proposed clearing will occur.

Citizens and third parties have the right to provide insight to the proposed plan. Not only that, but the further destruction of our environment is not known to have any positive influence on the prevention of wildfires. It is for these reasons that the current proposal to eliminate 38 million acres of vegetation must be rejected.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear George Gentry, Executive Officer of the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection-

Extensive research has been conducted regarding the management of land for the prevention of wildfires. A comprehensive plan that includes multiple elements is necessary for any wildfire prevention plan. The clearing of vegetation, however, is not an element that is necessary for wildfire prevention.

Every year funding is increased for efforts to clear land in the attempt to suppress wildfires. Every year thereafter has been increasingly devastating due to wildfires. The plan to clear land and vegetation only perpetuates the issue. Millions of dollars of tax payers’ money has been wasted in the attempt to address the issue using failed logic. Not only that, but we are destroying our natural habitat in the process which will lead to further issues now and in the future.

Additionally, the proposed plan to clear 38 million acres of land completely neglects the current process which requires review and input by citizens and independent third parties. Not only is this a violation of the law but it completely fails to consider the opinion of the most qualified people who could potentially work towards a real solution to the issue at hand.

The proposal that was submitted must be disposed of. The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection needs to collaborate with the citizens of the area as well as other involved organizations in order to formulate a plan that will have lasting and impactful results.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: AgriLife Today via Flickr

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